Seven years ago when I started the journey to open a public charter school in Mount Vernon, my goal was to create a true community school where access to a great education would not demand family wealth or be determined by one's zip code.

Neighboring communities of means and privilege are bursting with educational options for children. Providing children with such options is a social justice issue, one that on its face should have support from legislators on both sides of the aisle.

Fast forward to 2018 and a new era in New York state politics. For most of the past 50 years, the GOP has controlled the state Senate, most recently in partnership with the Independent Democratic Conference. Both the Republicans and the IDC proved to be staunch charter school supporters. With big Democratic wins in November — and the dissolution of the IDC — it’s a new day. Democrats will control all three branches come January.

Many traditional Democrats have been neutral at best on charters, and some have been outright opposed. Many have speculated that the future of public charter schools will not be bright with all three branches Democratically controlled. But if Democrats turn their backs on charter schools, they’ll also be turning their backs on their own constituents — parents who are choosing these schools in huge numbers. And that would be a huge mistake.

For many, it’s a proud moment as Andrea Stewart Cousins, a Democrat, becomes the first black female Senate Majority Leader in the state’s history — shattering the old way of doing business in Albany. No more will it be only “three men in a room” making deals.

In other states, and at the federal level, charters enjoy bipartisan support. It can be that way here too. Plenty of lawmakers tell us one-on-one that they support our mission. Now is the time for them to stand up and publicly support us in Albany. As a charter operator, I know it’s not “us versus them” as in “charters versus district schools.” We’re simply part of the educational landscape, providing another type of public school for families who choose us.

When I founded Amani, I saw the stark and unfair contrast between our community, Mount Vernon, and wealthier communities. I knew, though, that by providing options and innovation, students here could achieve educational success, too. Seven years later, I know this to be true: Amani Public Charter School has helped children in this community thrive.

Amani has educated more than 1,000 children during the last seven years. They say they feel safe, supported, and respected; they tell us Amani is helping broaden their minds. Our staff is made up of more than 50 dedicated adults who work with a true sense of urgency to support our school’s mission: To provide our scholars with the academic and critical thinking skills necessary to succeed in competitive high school programs, college, and the career of their choice.

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Debra Stern, executive director and founder at the Amani Public Charter School in Mount Vernon.(Photo: Mark Vergari/The Journal News)

That we are doing good work should be apparent to anyone, regardless of their party affiliation.

New York is one of the country’s most progressive states. Our lawmakers know that leveling the playing field for less privileged children is the right thing to do, and Democrats, traditionally on the side of the underdog, know that the work we’re doing here is providing opportunities for children who may not otherwise have them. I hope I am not naïve but I expect support for charters from the governor, our representatives in Albany, and even the state Board of Regents.

While she does not represent our district directly, what a thrill it would be for Leader-elect Stewart-Cousins to visit our school and show little girls that a woman who looks like them has ascended to one of the most powerful positions in the state.

Charter schools have grown each year, as more and more parents in this state and beyond choose them. To harness the movement would be going backward. That’s not what we do in the Empire State. I know I am not alone in welcoming our law and policy makers to join us, visit us, and support us — not just quietly and in private, not just after election day or after retirement, but publicly and proudly in the spirit of public service.

The writer is founder and school leader of the Amani Public Charter School in Mount Vernon.